This time of year, a lot of people are concerned about immune health. You may be wondering how to keep your immune system strong while commuting, working, traveling and conducting your daily activities. Or your foremost concern may be keeping your family as healthy as possible over the winter months, through exposures at school, at the playground, library and even at medical visits.

Let’s put things in perspective. Optimizing immune health doesn’t mean stopping your body from ever developing symptoms of “illness” – in fact, the body’s dynamic response to an infective agent is a positive sign. But of course none of us wants to fall ill constantly, either!

This post will cover some key concepts regarding immune health and will share some easy-to-implement action steps you can integrate this season.

Please note: this post focuses on foods, and doesn’t cover supplements, but you can look forward to in-depth coverage of supplements in future posts!

The proper balance between activity and rest

Many people need more rest during the fall and winter months. As humans, we evolved without electricity and our ancestors slept and rested more during the winter months. One easy way to keep your and your family’s immune system strong is to go to bed earlier when the days get darker and the nights are longer. Avoid over-using bright and stimulating lights (including screens) and use soft lighting as much as possible.

And of course, if you feel like you’re coming down with something, slow down and rest to let your body’s physical resources prioritize healing.

Optimal nutrition for immune health

During the fall and winter months, enjoy the tradition to eat warming foods prepared in a meat stock or bone broth base. Chicken and duck soup, meaty stews, roasted root vegetables, sautéed Brussels sprouts – the choices are almost endless.

Choose herbal teas that warm the body and support the immune system as well. These include ginger tea, rose hip tea and spiced teas containing cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and more. You can use these same herbs to flavor your normal cooking as well.

Nutrient-specific choices for immune health

Foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, D, and C, zinc, magnesium and iodine are great for the immune system. But it’s not the isolated nutrients alone as much as the synergy in the whole foods themselves. Here are some examples of immune-boosting foods. Avoid any foods you do not like or tolerate, even if they’re recommended here!

Warm bone broth with some chickpea miso, grated ginger and crushed garlic, and seaweed: Heat up the seaweed as you heat up the bone broth, add the crushed garlic and grated ginger right before removing from heat, and stir in the miso when the broth has cooled enough in your bowl that it doesn’t burn your finger.

Sauerkraut and other lacto-fermented (probiotic) vegetables: If you make your own, know that a including garlic and/or ginger can add flavor and immune-supporting benefits.

Beet kvass, particularly with garlic: make your own or purchase at Three Stone Hearth.

Raw grass-fed dairy from a trusted source. Raw colostrum is even more powerful.

Grass-fed organic organ meats from a trusted source. It’s rich in fat-soluble vitamins, especially vitamin A, in B vitamins that protect us against stress and in minerals such a magnesium, to name just a few. You can chop it up and add it to ground meat in hamburger, taco and meatloaf recipes or make a liver paté. Three Stone hearth sells pureed beef liver from Marin Sun Farms beef.

A rainbow of fresh, local and organic fruits and vegetables for fiber, anti-oxidants, prebiotics, polyphenols and other phytonutrients.

Probiotic Foods

Probiotic foods, such as sauerkraut, pickles and cultured vegetables, miso, raw milk yogurt, crème fraiche, water kefir, kvass and kombucha are pretty amazing in terms of their digestive and immune benefits. If you’re not used to consuming probiotic foods, start with small amounts and increase slowly to find the right amount for you. If you feel you’re reacting to your probiotic food or supplement, or unsure of how much is right for you, please reach out for support!

Rupam's Swedish Bitters — Rupam Henry comes from a lineage of European herbalists, and she has taught many classes at TSH over the years.

Friar's Cyder — see below.

Sara Russell, Ph.D. is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Certified GAPS Practitioner who works remotely with clients worldwide, specializing in complex and chronic health conditions. Sara resides in the Tuscan countryside with her husband and son. You can learn more about Sara’s work and read her blog at buildnurturerestore.com.

Sara also hosts a free online call on the last Friday of each month. Ask anything you want! Click here for details.

THREE STONE HEARTH PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT: FRIAR'S CYDER

Inspired by the traditional recipe for Fire Cider, TSH’s “Friar's Cyder” is a powerful, immune-building tonic. Fire Cider was developed by the eminent herbalist Rosemary Gladstar as a warming and energizing oxymel (vinegar-honey based medicine) to aid digestion, boost circulation, and break up congestion. Our Friar's Cyder has all these properties, but we have eliminated the cayenne, a nightshade which can be inflammatory for many. Still, a little goes a long way, and you’ll feel it kicking in. Take a shot of Friar's Cyder straight as a tonic, add it to salad dressing, or stir it into warm tea or broth.